Covering device for roof and the like

ABSTRACT

A covering device ( 1 ) suitable to realize at least part of the covering of a roof ( 50 ) or the like and comprising: a central portion ( 2 ) including at least one channelling element ( 5 ), suitable to contain a heat exchange fluid suitable to store thermal solar energy, at least one peripheral portion ( 3 ) comprising a cavity ( 15 ), suitable to contain the heat exchange fluid in fluid communication with at least one channelling element ( 5 ), the peripheral portion ( 3 ) comprising connection means ( 19 ) suitable to connect, in fluid communication, the cavity ( 15 ) with a cavity ( 15 ) of a further peripheral portion ( 3 ) part of a further covering device ( 1 ).

Related Applications

This is a U.S. National Stage application according to 35 U.S.C. 371 of PCT/IB2009/006023 application filed on Jun. 27, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

2. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a covering device for roofs and the like of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

Different covering devices for roofs and the like, such as tiles in particular, are currently known.

Different apparatus, such as solar panels and solar collectors, suitable to store solar energy and positionable in particular on roofs or various coverings, are also known.

These have the drawback of not integrating visually or functionally with roofs provided with conventional tiles, and therefore greatly detracting from the appearance thereof.

Appearance is at times a fundamental requirement, for example in historic districts or in resorts in which it is obligatory to maintain a specific architectural style is obligatory and allows use of said solar panels where architectural or landscape protection rules exist.

Said problems are particularly serious in cases in which a solar collector is to be fitted on the roof.

In fact, solar collectors comprise a plurality of pipes through which a fluid flows, said fluid being subject to solar radiation and insulated from heat conduction of the surrounding environment. Said fluid can therefore be intended, directly or through a heat exchanger, for the domestic or industrial supply, in particular to provide hot water.

These pipes therefore require a complex system to convey the fluid which cannot be integrated in the single tiles.

In this situation the technical aim of the present invention is to devise a covering device for roofs and the like capable of substantially overcoming the aforesaid drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Within said technical aim an important object of the invention is to obtain a covering device for roofs and the like which allows the production of solar collectors defining a covering which is visually integrated with coverings of conventional type.

Another important object of the invention is to produce a covering device for roofs and the like which includes solar devices and the like, in particular solar collectors, which does not have drawbacks related to the connection thereof. Last but not least object of the invention is to devise a simple and inexpensive covering device for roofs and the like.

The technical aim and objects specified are achieved by a covering device for roofs and the like as described in the appended claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings. In particular:

FIG. 1 shows a roof including a covering device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a covering device;

FIG. 3 highlights the section III-III shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a portion of device in a top view;

FIG. 5 is the section V-V shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is the section VI-VI shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 highlights two devices mutually assembled and viewed along the section VII-VII shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 schematizes a detail of two mutually assembled devices;

FIG. 9 represents a detail of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a variant of the device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the Figures, the covering device according to the invention is indicated as a whole with the number 1.

It is suitable to realize at least part of a roof 50 or the like, and in particular the surface covering thereof.

The covering device 1 is therefore suitable to be placed on supporting beams or the like on which tiles of conventional type 51 can also be positioned. Moreover, it also preferably has an appearance similar to or identical to the appearance of these tiles of conventional type 51 and can preferably be integrated with tiles of conventional type 51, in particular with flat tiles.

The covering device 1 comprises, summarily, a central portion 2 and at least one peripheral portion 3, preferably two peripheral portions 3, positioned at the sides of the central portion 2.

It extends mainly along a plane defined by a longitudinal direction 1 a and a transverse direction 1 b, mutually perpendicular. A vertical direction 1 c perpendicular to said main extension plane, and therefore to both the directions 1 a and 1 b, is also defined.

The covering device 1 also preferably comprises edge elements 4 suitable to be connected to tiles 51 of conventional type.

More in detail, the central portion 2 comprises at least one channelling element 5, and preferably two channelling elements 5, suitable to contain a heat exchanging fluid in turn suitable to store thermal solar energy.

The channelling elements 5 are conveniently substantially realized by two copper or steel pipes extending in longitudinal direction 1 a and mutually connected by a wing 6, or partition, made of copper, steel or the like, as shown in the section III-III of FIG. 3.

The wing 6 is suitable to collect solar radiation on a large surface and to transmit the heat received to the channelling elements 5, which in turn transmit it to the heat exchange fluid.

The central portion 2, shown in the section III-III of FIG. 3, then comprises a profile 7, preferably made of aluminium, suitable to support the channelling elements 5, to contain these and to insulate them from the heat exchange through conduction and convection of the atmosphere.

The profile 7 then comprises a sunken portion 8, a raised portion 9 and an outer portion 10.

In detail, the raised portion 9 is suitable to support the peripheral part of the wing 6 without coming into contact with the channelling elements 5. These elements are, in fact, positioned above the sunken portion 8.

The outer portion 10 instead realizes the part of the upper surface of the central portion 2 and comprises two housings 11 suitable to house a transparent surface 12.

The transparent surface 12 is suitable to allow passage of the sun's rays and to prevent passage of air or other elements. It is produced in specific vitreous or polymer materials used for the same purpose in known solar panels.

Moreover, insulating material such as glass wool, polyurethane or the like is preferably placed inside the sunken section.

The housings 11 are suitable to include portions of transparent surface 12 and a specific gasket 13, suitable to ensure water-tightness of the central portion 2.

Moreover, the transparent surface 12 is fastened to the housings 11 preferably by means of elastic elements 14 or the like.

The peripheral portions 3 are connected to the lateral ends of the central portion 2 through connection means such as, in particular, rods and gaskets constrained to seats positioned both on the peripheral portion 3 and on the central portion 2.

Each peripheral portion 3 comprises a cavity 15 suitable to contain the heat exchange fluid and in fluid communication with the channelling elements 5.

The cavity 15 is produced inside a lateral body 29 suitable to realize the outer surface of the peripheral portion 3.

The lateral bodies 29 of the two peripheral elements 3 and the profile 7 can be realized by a single enclosure 40, as shown in FIG. 10.

The enclosure 40 is preferably divided into two half shells, one upper and one lower, suitable to allow assembly of the device 1.

In this case a chamber 41 is also conveniently provided, in fluid communication with the channelling elements 5 and suitable to produce the cavity 15.

Said connection between the cavity 15 and the elements 5 is obtained by means of channels 18, extending in longitudinal direction 1 a. They are also provided with specific bushings with sealing elements, such as O-rings and the like, as shown in particular in FIG. 4.

The peripheral portion 3 also comprises connection means 19 suitable to connect, in fluid communication, the cavity 15 of one peripheral portion 3 with the cavity 15 of a second peripheral portion 3, superimposed on the previous portion.

In particular, the connection means 19 are positioned on both the peripheral portions 3 and are suitable to connect two partially superimposed devices 1, as shown in FIG. 7.

In the example in FIG. 10, the ducts are conveniently provided in the chamber 31, while specific holes are provided on the enclosure 40. In detail, the connection means 19 comprise ducts 20 positioned in vertical direction 1 c, an upper duct 20 a, positioned on the upper surface of the device 1, and a lower duct 20 b, positioned on the lower surface of the device 1, and a locking system 21 of two partially superimposed covering devices 1.

Said locking system 21 is shown in FIG. 8. It comprises a lower locking element 22 and an upper locking element 23.

Said locking elements 22 and 23, show in a top view in FIG. 9, and the ducts 20 are preferably structured in a manner such that rotation thereof about the axis of the system 21 a allows, in a first position, passage of the locking elements 22 or 23 through a duct 20 and, in a second position, locking of the locking elements 22 or 23 along the wall of the duct 23.

Consequently, the lower 22 and upper 23 locking elements can be inserted respectively inside an upper duct 20 a, part of a first covering device 1, and inside a lower duct 20 b, part of a second covering device 1. Subsequently, the lower 22 and upper 22 locking elements can be rotated about the axis of the system 21 a in a manner such as to block passage of the locking elements 22 and 23 along the ducts 20 and to produce the connection between the cavities 15 of two superimposed devices 1.

In particular, the locking elements 22 and 23 are realized by two star bodies having tips of maximum diameter. Instead, the ducts 20 are preferably realized by circular holes having a smaller diameter than the diameter of said tips of the locking elements 22 or 23 and provided with portions having a diameter equal to or greater than the diameter of said tips of the locking elements. Said portions are therefore suitable to allow, in a particular angular position, passage of the locking elements 22 or 23.

The locking system 21 also comprises a gasket 24, interposable between two different covering devices 1 and suitable to guarantee hydraulic seal of the connection means 19.

The gasket 24 is preferably integral with the upper locking element 23 and can be screwed onto a shaft 25, integral in turn with the lower locking element 22.

Consequently, the gasket 24 also maintains the correct distance between the locking elements 22 and 23 and the walls surrounding the ducts 20, before locking.

Finally, the locking system 21 comprises an operating head 26, realized by a screw head or by a hexagonal head, suitable to allow rotation of the locking system 21 along the axis 21 a.

Access to the head 26 is ensured by an upper hole 27 positioned on the upper wall of the device 1. The hole 27 is also re-closable by means of a specific closing element 28 suitable to allow closing with hydraulic seal of the cavity 15.

Operation of a covering device 1, the structure of which is described above, is the following.

The device 1 is assembled on a roof even partially covered with tiles of conventional type 51, as shown in FIG. 1.

In particular, one row or several rows of tiles can each be replaced with a device 1 according to the invention.

One or more devices 1 are then assembled on the supporting beams and produce a solar collector 30. These are also partially superimposed and mutually connected through the connection means 19.

Through the described connection means 19, the channelling elements 5, the cavities 15 and the ducts 20 form a single channel 31 for the heat exchange fluid, which extends along the entire solar collector 30, or along all the assembled devices 1, as shown in FIG. 1.

The channel 31 is therefore connected to a fluid reservoir or a recirculation device and to a heat exchanger, or directly to the domestic or industrial supply.

The ends 32 of the channel 31 can therefore be closed, or connected to the aforesaid elements. Closing of these ends 32 can be obtained by providing different peripheral portions 3 not provided with the upper 20 a or lower 20 b duct, or by means of specific sealed covers.

Once assembled, the solar collector 30 therefore functions in a manner substantially identical to collectors of known type.

The invention achieves important advantages.

In fact, the covering device 1 allows the production of a covering that blends with tiles of conventional type 51, as it has an appearance very similar to that of conventional tiles 51 and as it can be integrated therewith through the edge elements 4.

Moreover, it is possible to dimension the solar collector 30 according to the measurements of the covering, due to the modular nature of the devices 1. Another important advantage is given by the presence of the peripheral portions including the connection means 19 described.

In fact, these means allow mutual connection of the devices 1, in a manner such as to substantially produce a single solar collector 30.

Finally, the devices 1 are simple, therefore inexpensive and sturdy and are not subject to high maintenance costs.

The invention is susceptible to modifications and variants falling within the inventive concept.

For example, the devices 1 can have the dimensions of a single tile, instead of a group of tiles.

All the details can be replaced by equivalent elements and the materials, the shapes and dimensions can be any. 

1. A covering device (1) able to cover at least a part of a roof (50) or the like and comprising: a central portion (2) including at least one channelling element (5), suitable to contain a heat exchange fluid suitable to store thermal solar energy, at least one peripheral portion (3) comprising a cavity (15), suitable to contain said heat exchange fluid and in fluid communication with said at least one channelling element (5), said peripheral portion (3) comprising connection means (19) suitable to connect, in fluid communication, said cavity (15) of said peripheral portion (3) with a cavity of a peripheral portion (3) of a second covering device (1).
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said channelling elements (5) are realized by two copper pipes extending in a longitudinal direction (1 a) and wherein said device comprises a wing (6) extending along a plane parallel to said longitudinal direction (1 a) and integral with said channelling elements (5).
 3. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a profile (7) and a transparent surface (12) constrained to said profile, wherein said profile (7) and said transparent surface (12) contain said at least one channelling element (5) and wherein said transparent surface (12) is suitable to allow passage of the sun's rays to said at least one channelling element (5).
 4. A device according to claim 1 wherein said connection means (19) comprise ducts (20) and a locking system (21) suitable to mutually connect two partially superimposed covering devices (1).
 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said connection means (19) comprise locking elements (22, 23) which can be positioned in a first position, in which they can pass through said duct (20), and in a second position, in which passage of said locking elements (22, 23) along said duct (23) is prevented.
 6. A device according to claim 4, wherein said locking system (21) also comprises a gasket (24), interposable between two of said superimposed covering devices (1) and suitable to ensure hydraulic seal of said connection means (19).
 7. A device according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral portion (3) comprises channels (18) suitable to connect said cavity (15) to said channelling elements (5).
 8. A device according to claim 1, further comprising an enclosure (40), including said central portion (2) and said at least one peripheral portion (3).
 9. A device according to claim 8, further comprising a chamber (41) suitable to produce said cavity (15).
 10. A solar collector (30) comprising a plurality of said covering devices (1) as described by claim
 1. 11. A solar collector (30) according to claim 10, further comprising a single channel (31) including said channelling elements (5) and said cavities (15). 